Mikel Arteta addressed the media with his message for Arsenal ahead of their meeting with Newcastle United as five fixtures remain in the Premier League to decide the title race.
‘Earn the right to win the game’
The Gunners were dealt a bitter blow by their second successive 2-1 defeat in the topflight when they travelled to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Manchester City claimed three critical points, backing up that result with a 1-0 beating of Burnley to sit top of the table thanks to a superior scoring record.
Arsenal also bowed out of both domestic cups in the last month of club action, and fears of another year with no silverware are growing. It is imperative for heads to remain calm within the locker room ahead of Friday's clash at the Emirates Stadium.
“The same, that the energy raised, the belief raised, I think the clarity of what we have to do, it cannot be better. Five games to go, tomorrow, game one, all in. Let's go for it. Win tomorrow, game one win and then we'll be much closer. on our belief in what we’re saying. I have belief in our players, in our people and the willingness that we have to achieve what we want.
“Five games to go, two big competitions to play for and everything to play for.”
“It's five games to go, four weeks, two big competitions to play for and everything to play for. I mean, if someone would have told us at the beginning of the season, we would have taken it and we are so excited, and tomorrow is game one.
“The first thing we have to do is earn the right to win the game and then win it, and then, depending on how the situation is, you can think about something else. But the priority is that you have to be better than the opposition, earn the right to win the game and win it. That’s the first thing.
“Every game we do something different to inspire them, to guide them, to talk about a specific topic maybe on the day. And this week we didn't have to do much. The energy has been so good, the weather has helped as well. So much has been beautiful. We know it's so clear what is at stake.
“[We have] everything to win. When we are in the position that we are playing the two biggest competitions that we've had this season, the position that we are in, I think it's a simple answer.
‘The psychological effect is tough’
“Before the psychological effect was that we were getting chased for many months. So, what is better, what is worse? At the end of the day, we know what the best thing is, to win the next game. So, the psychological effect is tough regardless of where you are because you have to win the game.
“We've been there and it's very clear that it's still everything to play for. Five games, he's there to take it and we need to go and grab it. I think it's very simple.
“Every game will be different. Focus on the priorities and the things that we can do to help the players arrive in the best state possible with the team. Make sure that we have all the players available, which is one of the most important things and a big lesson that we learn from it. Give them confidence, trust and belief that we're going to do it, that's it.
“It's the goals for, goals against. I think there's going to be a balance of that. It's been all season, that's why the goal difference between the two teams is so small. So, very clear what we have to do to win the game, to earn the right to win the game, to compete and be better than the opponent.
‘We have to be at our best’
*“We know the difficulty of the league. Very clear, the ability and the quality of Newcastle United, what Eddie Howe has done with that team and continues to do, we know how tough the opponent is going to be tomorrow. We have to be at our best. If we do that, we're going to have a big chance to win.”*